The Sun. — London, England, 1818-12-10 00:00:00

LITERARY REVIEW. EATIVE of a JOURNEY in the INTERIOR - cif ClitNA, and of a Voyage to and from that Country, in the Years 1816 and 1817 ; containing an Account of the most inte resting Transactions of Lord Amherst's Embassy to the Court of Pekin, and Observations on the Countries which it visited. By CLARKE. ABEL, F.L.S. and Member of the Geological Society, Chief Medical Others and Natuialist to the Embassy. 4to. illustratied by Maps arid other Engravings. Of the many distinguished and accomplished individuals who accompanied Lord AruneasT in the unfortunate Embassy to China, Mr. A3EL, from his rare and various attainments, appears to have been pre•emineutly qualified to promote the scientific objects of the voyage, and to render its details equally interesting and important to the Public. The disastrous issue of the Expedition is already but too well kooven ; it is impossible to revert to the auspicious circomstances owlet -which it commenced, without poigotant regret for subsequent disappointment. The loss of the Alceste involved the destroctioo of the most pie cious collertioo in Botany, Geology, anti Moie talogy ever formed withiu so short A period, the enumeration of which is an honourable memorial of Mr. Abel's industry and perseverairce. Yet, even after the deplorable reduction of his treasm es, which he so feelingly laments, when, to use his own words, sickness bad abridged, and shipwreck pearly anuihilated his materials, we cal' still con grat,.late hon on having completed a Volume %vhich must be considered as a most valuable ad dition to out koowledge of China, that country so remote from Europe, and hitherto as ioacces sthie to curiosity as improvement. The numerous Plates, engraver from original designs, attest the accuracy of his observations, and the per SVVvlnliCe Crf his researches in every department of Art and Science—his general details are always spirited and "satisfactory. Io the style of his narrative he has adopted that happy medium between officious egott.nt and, repulsive impersouality, the curiosa felicitas of the traveller,, by which lie conciliates vowi-will, and even ettgagea sympathy withont bazardiug or forf,iting respect. The progress -of the Embassy is circumstantially detailed; not with the technical prolixity of a IlantiCal journal, but with the comprehensive intelligence of 14 phi• losopher, wohose sphere of vision is not bounded by the sensiide horizon, but who discovers new anti original tracks of speculation in every ob ject, every operation of nature. The following passage, in which the Author describes his emit- ' titms on approaching South America, retniods ns of the sentiments expressed by the illustrious ; .,Vninboldt iu a somewhat similar situation : " Few educated men," observes Mr. Abel, " will apptOaCh a coutory for the first time of their w ithout reverting to the history of its contrest and discovery. On making the coast of the New World, so inter-esting in the history of man and the earth, every thought most centre in Colour trio', all the circumstances of his situation on the day of his discovery, all the attributes of his mind, and all the heroism of his conduct, array them selves in our imagioation. But as the laud de velooes a. its larger features become vi3ible, speculation is extinguished in a general glow of undefined but delightful feeling—never can I for ge( t incasing but almost awful emotion Of my mind, ~.hen rising eatly in the morning, I first be belch the shores of Smith America expanded before me. To describe the scenery by words,would be a vain attempt—the pencil of a painter, enthusi astic in genius and in feeling, could alone con vey to those who have never beheld it, an imper , feet apprehension of its grandeur." During the detention of the Embassy. at Ba tavia, Mr. Abel made several scientific excursions, which afforded him ample opportunities of dis coveriug the amiable dispositions of the Javanese People—he concludes with this observation, " thank God I did not hear that any of my coun trymen had ever oppressed them ; but Mien heard and often saw that the Javanese looked upon the English rather as benefactors titan masters" From the following extracts we may judge of the impression which the first view of China pro duced on Mr. Abel's mind : " And now wy reader is perhaps as anxious to learn, as I was to see, all that is worth observation between la-koo and Tien-sing; but let me prepare him for disappointment. No country in the world can afford, I imagine, fewer objects of interest to any species of traveller, than the banks of the Pei-ho between those places. The land is marshy and ste rile, the inhabitant; are poor and squalid, their habitations mean, dirty, and dilapidated, and the native productions of the soil are few and unattractive. The scenery had only no velty and strangeness to recommend it; but had it possessed the attractions of Arcadia, they would have been polluted by miserable objects of wretched and naked men, tracking our boats and toiling often through a deep mire under a burning These poor fellows were attended by overseers, who kept them to their work, and prevented their desertion, but .11d not, as far as I could observe, exert their authority with cruelty, Scarcely had our eyes become in some degree fami liarised with their appearance, when they were offended by the sight of a dead body frighfally swollen, lying on its hack, and noating down the river. Onr boatmen passed it without regard. I must confess, that in turning 'from the contem plation of such objects, I recovered with some dilliculty that state of mind which was necessary to an unprejudiced exa roination of the country through which I was passing." " The Embassy arrived at Tien sing at four o'clock in the afternoon of the 12th of August, the third day after leaving the mouth of the Pei-be. Soon after our arrival, it was an nounced that Lord Amherst would trace a conference with the Legate and Soo-to-jin, a Mandarin of high rank, on the fol. lowiog day, and partake at its close of an imperial feast, to which the Gentlemen of his suite were also invited. We therefore set out the next morning at ten o'clock, in proces sion, for the ball of audience : the Commissioners and suite travelling in sedans, preceded by the servants, guard, and band on foot. sun. We traversed several ❑arrow streets lined on both sides with shops much ornamented ; having large and high boards painted of a red colour, and inscribed with Chinese charac ters in litivk and gold, standing in their front, and forming a gay, and rather pleasing vista. Their various articles for sale were indicated by a number of euriously•simped em blems hanging in roles b►fore them. Great crowds had i:lanttatheniselves in ever} direction to see u• pass. araongs - whom the utmost silence and order prevailed; and although , they exhibited an anxious curiosity to obtain alleep at the inmates of the sedans, not a single instance of troublesome importUnitr °enured. Wry fee, women were vbierved amongst tbem. Those of `whom we caught a passing glimpse, were peeping from behind the men, and withdrew their heads the instant they perceived themseltes noticed. A great Iltiany well-dressed and interesting-looking children were held up to sec the procession pass; many of them had so little of the Chinese character iu their faces, t hat they would scarcely have attracted attention in an Engliih crowd. The men were generally well made, and frequently tall; and I did not observe in them that uniformity of countenance which I had been led to look for in the Chinese. In different parts of the city, we passed through archways of considerable width, serving as entrances to mlncipal streets. In these hung swords, shields, bows and arrows, and other arms. " Having been carried about for nearly an hour, we ar rived at our place of destioation, and were immediately shown into a spacious apartment, formed of bamboo and painted matting, and erected for the occasion. It is dif fi nit to de , cribe the glittering and tawdry magnificence which now suddenly opened upon us. An immense-number of painted lamps, pictures, and other ornaments, in all the (odours of the rainbow, bung about us on every side ; whilst a crowd of Mandarins, in their dresses of ceremony, ten dered. the 'aoitnated part of the scene no less striking. " I„ord Amherst, Sir George Staunton, Mr. and Mr. Morrison, baying been shown into an inner apartment. to confer with the Legate and some other Mandarins, the Gen tlemen of the suite were left to enntemplate at their:leisure the objects around thein. The room was of a broad oblong, approaching to an oval. At one extreinity, a projecting canoprdecorated with scarlet silk overhung a long range of tables revered with scarlet cloth. On these were placed rolls of silk and cotton of the most dazzling colours, in tended as presents for the Embassy. The floor of this di vision of the room was raised above its general level. Imme diately in front of it, two rows of small low tables were placed on the right and left hand for the feast, having by their side carpets ;Ind silk cushions for the accommodation of the guests. Beyond them was it screen of curious workmanship, represent ing a vine in foil fruit. The whole was worked in relief. The fruit was imitated in glass (the Chinese said gems) of different colours, with which the artist had expressed, with great effect, its different degrees of ripeness, transparency, and bloom. The leaves and tendrils, formed of the same material,were equally well executed; and the trunk carved from the wood of the screen in every respect resembled what it was intended to re present. A table covered with yellow cloth, and supporting a vessel of smoking incense, stood before it : the whole was symbolical of the presence of his Chimsee Majesty. All around this sacred emblem, carpets were laid in regular ap proach for the accommodation of its faithful votaries. Be yond these, an open spare was terminated by a stage, gay with all the colours that Chinese fancy could suggest. Pots of flowers and dwarf trees were distributed over the room,, and were often mingled with pieces of limestone. Along its sides tables and benches were arranged for the use of the Mandarins in waiting, who regaled themselves with tea, ice, and fruit. The Mandarins were rather gorgeously dressed, although their external garment was plain; being a loose crape robe, with no other ornament than a'stork or a tiger, denoting their civil or military order, worked on the back or breast. Beneath this, and disclosed by its movements, ap peared a silk petticoat, beautifully interwoven with gold amid silk, iu the forms of dragons and (hovers. Their boots were of satin, and served them for pockets. Their caps were small and conical, covered with long red hair, and surmount ed with a globe, whose colour indicated their rank. Fans, pipes, and chop-sticks, hung by their sides ; and English watches, in embossed cases, were suspended from many of their girdles. These were highly prized by the wearers, who anxiously inquired our opinion of their value. Their fans were not costly in their materials or construction, and in no respect resembled those elegant specimens of Chinese work manship which are imported into Europe from Canton; being formed of paper and japanned wood, with a few devices faintly sketched upon them. A supply of these was distri buted to the gentlemen of the Embassy, and were rends red very acceptable by the excessive beat of the day. " Nearly two hours had elapsed before his Excellency re appeared in the banquetting.room. It was impossible to doubt the cause of his delay lie was arguing the question of prostration. We looked at the screen with unpleasant anticipations, as the Chinese pointed to the carpets, and most significantly acquainted us. that on them we must knock our beads. At length the Ambassador came and in formed us of the nature of the ceremony that be intended to go through. It was of the same kind, be observed, as that which he sometimes performed before the empty throne of his own sovereign : he should bow as often as the Mandarins pros trated themselves. He then advanced towards the screen, and was placed, with Sir George Staunton, Mr. Ellis, anti Mr. Morrison, immediately before it, having six Mandarins of high rank un his right hand, and time gentlemen of his suite behind him. At a signal given by an officer, who ut tered a few words in an exalted and singing tone, the Man darins fell on their knees, and, inclining their heads, knocked them three times against the ground, and then arose, A second and a third time the signal was repeated, and a secoed and a third time they knelt and knocked their heads thrice against the earth. the Commissioners and the Gentlemen of the suite bowed respectfully nine times." [Co be continued.] LONDON JOURNALS. [FROM THE MORNING PAPERS OF Tins DAY.] [Morning Post.] INDIA. Extract of a Private Letter from Calcutta, dated July 16, 1818. " From this time last year our harbour has been continnally lull of shipping , the principal part of which are from Europe. The free trade having so largely increased during the above pe riod, freights have become so low that vessels of from four to 500 tons must make a heavy loss on the voyage. Every species of European produce has be come a complete drug in our market. Porter sealing at taro rupees per batrel (18 gallons) cask included. The cotton crops have not been so fine this last season as was anticipated, and owing to a great demand at the present time, will, i: is ex pected, raise the price of that article+. Wines of the best quality of every kind nre in the matkrl et a complete stand, the very best being sold by auction at 2-, 1 - dollars per doyen.. " Our warehouses are full of English goods, sebich are dull of sale, and at lower prices than FATE of our MISGUIDED COUNTRYMEN, WHO LATELY EMIGRATED TO SOUTH AMERICA. LETTER FROM ST. THOMAS, OCT. 18. " It may be interesting to you to know the fate of those who formed the expedition in aid of the Insurgents during the last year. CAMP BELL disputed with his Officers ; they sepa rated, and be retired to North Ametica. Hir- PESLEY returned to England, after incur tiog the displeasure of the Supreme Chief.— M‘DosikeD was assassinated by the natiwes on his way from Angostura to Calabozo. WILSON is a close prisoner at Guiana, by order of BoLt- VAR, and will be tried for supposed high trea son. Gtemoaa is at head-quarters, without hav ing made any arrangement relative to the artil lery department, whereof he will haVe the direc tion. Rowe has collected about one hundred En glish, to ,ehom were united about three huudred natives, all clothed as English soldiers, and are now on the advance towards Cumana. The cause of the Insurgents has not prospered since the last year. In the mean time their pecuniary diffi culties ate so *very pressing, that even delay for the present season would be equal to a defeat. BRION is now at Granada, repairing some damages that his ships have lately sustain ed. The conduct of this Chief has on a late occasion given much disgust to his Officers,and the Captain of one of his ships has fled with it to the United States. 80t.P . ,, , t has caused to be pub lished in some of the Newspapers here, a Certifi cate, signed by all the English in the.service of the lesetgents, stating their approbation of the treatment received by them from that Chief. It is also to be inserted in the London Papers. — The popularity of BOLIVAR is on the decline, and PAez, is looked up 10 as his successor. — [he attachment of the English is divided between them ; but the greater part seem inclined to unite with the destinies of the latter. Col. Wm one of those, and will fall a victim to the ven t :entice of BOLIVAR. The Royalists avail themselves of this disunion, for the purpose of in creasing their army. Many Foreign Officers have joined them, and among them some English." SMITHFIELD CLUE CATTLE Strew.—Yesterday evening the fat Cattle, Sheep, and Pigs, began to arrive in Doswell-street, fur the twentieth An nual Exhibition of this patriotic Society. Stock belonging to his Grace the Duke of Bedford, Earl Talbot, Sir Henry Ibbotson, Messrs. West ear, 'ferret, Ellman, Nichols, Dodd, and many others arrived yesterday. Yesterday a Co►►rt of Directors was (►eld at the East Jodia House, when the following ships ivere ►aken up for one voyage, in ►he Company's ser vice, viz.: Northuntheiland, 673 tons ; Apollo, 690 ; Cornwall, 7913 ; end Matilda, 771. they +ret•e A . Ctilany sl►ippetl in 1 , :ogl .na for. The taverns are HI of Captains and Officers of vessels looking out for cargoes, but they are obliged to wait a long time before they can get any ; snch a (lull state is the free trade, while the East India Company's shipS have cargoes ready en gaged for them previous to their arrival." PE rrioN TO RAISE THE PRICE OF BREAD. Notwithstanding the opposition which has been raised against this measure in the Manufacturing Districts, letters received yesterday from various parts, show that the design is by no means aban doned by the Land-owuers and Land-holders of most of the principal Agricultural Counties. In Sussex, and in Kent, particularly in the neigh bourhood of Maidstone, we find that the Petition has received a number of signatures. At Colches ter, also, it is circulated with some activity; and in Suffolk and Norfolk the object of it is promoted with great zeal by persons of much influence. It is even proposed to form Committees of Mauage meor in every County, who may depute Commit tee-null to attend'at Westtniubter, trn the 14 , h of January next, its order to estaldish a Committee of . Management for the whole Kingdom, and to arrange awl conduct the evidence to he submitted to Parliament in support of the Petition. On the other hand, we have much pleasure in statiog that the itd of Birrniogbati., ,Manchester, Sheffield, and other large totvns, have it in con templation to meet this cruel effort by a Counter- Petition and Public Meetings are talked of for that purpose, which are only delayed in order that it to.ty he ascertained whether, without such a display of hostility, the obnoxious Petition . will not yet be entirely tel ) THE KIYO'S JEWELS. —T he supposition which we lotZ3rded on our first announcil 4 g the fact of Chu King's Jewels being. missing, ihat his Majesty himself might l►are deposited them in some place ot secret safety, we can now no longer entertain. It is ascertained that the whole of Corse valuables were safe in tl,e casket a long time after 1113 Ma jesty's lamented malady took place, and we re peat, that on the casket being last onened, it was fount! to be completely empty.—(lbid ) Lord Harrowby's appointment to !tierce(' Sir Chalks `Stuart, as Ambas , ador to the Court of France, is understood I Q be in consequence of the pallicolar request of his M,,st Christian Majesty himself. The Noble Lord has been for many years one of the most intimate and respected friends of that ill nnArch. Lord Pembroke IJlti previously been spoken of as likely to fill that ho nourable, a nd ice May say, highly important situ ation.—(lbid.) Morning Chronicle.] There has been a rumour for t‘vo days that a Candidate likely to start for the Representa tiOn of Wes , minSter, on those principles ot Ra tional Reform which so powerfully recommend ed Sir SAMUEL 110MII.LY to the choice of the Electors. It is reported on 'Change that the Bank mean to call in the Ooe and Two Pound N,ites, anaonoting to five millions, for which purpose three millions of silver is now ready to . issue, and two millions more is coining.—(lbid ) Tu the pßopitly;roits of Etl:iT ti GL LAMEs .IND GENTLEMEN, c• Or , re T"E DEATH a your late worthy p i Nlr. LUNISDEN, haring occasioned a lIPACA ICt ? ' ' to the DtitECTION of your AF4I4IKS, I venture ag a ' ri n t Solicit the honour Of your SUFFRAGES to fill t h a t 11 0 4 °Cta m Situation. I havalpo a former occasion, state d the Cire,li Stances sylliClt embolden me to rely on your btv`' nr 'r l ys te again beg to assure you, that if your kindn ess shall me to the honourable st-ation which is the obje ct of "I tie bition, my utmost Zeal and Attention shall be devoted° promotion of your interests. I ain, Ladies and Gentlemen, Your devoted humble Servant, CHARLES EuroN PRF,SCOrr. 62. Threadneedle-street. CAPTAIN PRSCOT ET's COMMITTEE MCet the KING'S HEAL) TAVERN, in th e POULTitY, °be° every Coir nicaiiuu will be tkani;fui(y inowledged. ______ THEATRICAL REGISTE R. Pert m red Last Night. : I ' W THEATRE ROYAL, DRAIRY-LANE..--(6t11 time) Drutus , MIL Iv( cius Junius, Mr. Kean ; Tarquinia, Mrs. W which, The Iniiketlicr's Daughter. f u r SC3'l' TH O EATILE ROYAL, C,ENT-GARDEN.- - The SOIOOI - N iiit . dai . Sir Peter Teazle, Mr. W. Farren ; Lady Tcu lki Brunton. After which, Thu C ritic. TO CORRESPONDENTS. STACKHoUSE, in Answer to SCWUT.ITOR, TO-MOITO-P°. HINT (Hi NAVAL SUPREMACY, — and ANGLI CANUS On 145 TIMACY. l' a * Fur STACRLIOUSE (Letter IV., see the First PRICE 0 TB IS DAY AT T Ban!: SITIO; 0 ;04 3 per Cent. Red........ 7841 i 34 per ('cut. si=i4 4 per Cents STOCKS 'EINE ti CLUCK. • 41 ilauk L. Ann.... •30 S-lgtiliii, Exch. Bills, id..... 205. 183%ir.i, Ditto Cumineiciai. • ..• s ',,',j ' ij Consuls. fur Accutuit..••'" MAILS, AnnlvEl)-1 Dublin, 1 Waterford, 1 Francs• Du L-1 Waterfurd, i Sweden, I Hamburglip I HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE T0.N 10 ,, f ,:r . Nl — uining, 2 minutes after 1. I Evening, 411.1.1 f • - THE SUN. OLESI qUI DICERE FALSUM ? .I_4()NDON, TIIURSD E AY, DECEMBER 10 i 1 . : 4 > Irommarasmecrocsarrawarrusoraransaumearsar it.. 4% ;dwe a, 5 ‘lre received this rooriiii4; the P a ris rP e- Monday last. The follo%.ing are extracts;"'' " PARIS, DEC. 7. " CHAMBLE OF THE KING• rf " The Court mourning ‘vill be su s r en-e m Wednesday the 9th instant, the day of the b-s t :c of the II uly Ghost , and on Thursday the I°l'' (1”- of the opening of the Session of the G1)°1,1 hers. It is to be worn inconsequence, 11,1050 up the number of days, till Saturday the26lbl inclusive. " The Secretary of the Chamber, " L. DE CAIN " The King yesterday received the I ° -'s'. dors, Ministers, Marshals, Cardinals, ei. c. .0( 1 ° " Durii,g, the meeting of the Allied Sc lver r e f : P rd at Aix•la-Chapelle the King of Piussis can't. le the Order of the Black Eagle upon t-he 1)616c Richelieu. ;11 tbl " Dike d'Angouletne arrived st 3(1 instant. ottit " It is reported, says the Lausanne °a 'tti that the Ex-ilospodar of Wallachia i s Pr°cee‘i.lo' to Switzerland, to seek a peaceful a syloin i°r Selte a l i'l l ' i l e h l i i s i wngealtil nati°S accepted on Friday th e res- r n6 te gi i g of the Count Corvetto, the Minist er of I.clllolo' It is said that M. Roy, a Member of th e her of Deputies, is appointed to strecevl e jot " On the 2241 ult. during a sale of ° ril o f in one of the Saloons of the Commune 14,°:tiv° Ay, a town near Epernay, the Boor stiddenii way, and a great number of persons fel l ii) .od , sequence into a cellar. No person " 5 hi but 45 were hurt, several of thew seriu°sl/. ti a 0 " It is stated in a German Jf)uritte the German and Swedish Provinces of ti e rat be sian Empire, IlAclidy, Courland , ) o - (00 1 nia, and Finland, are immedia tel y to 113%' e e s (l' at it titian fidapted to their a nd vanced state of civilization which those er°' etc e c' t n " LIAM , Nov. 28.—1 n cousellienc ter,/ ()final demand made by Elie SpaniSli Minis great number of young men., w ho Ivy, beerlsootO rolled for the service of the Insurgents 10 te as America, have been arrested at the O n o Do tl they were about to embark. Some of t lic i lo ge already got ,on board two vessels before th is sure was adopted, and they have gone ! , t• Pr y " BERLIN , Nov. The giog c ' f will return here the 29th inst. • f I ! ' " The report which wa s circ u lated ° e se rvic tended reduction of our Ari nv in active not confirmed. 'll °P t , ' „ re " FaaNEFonT, Dec. 2,--The 111 Coy' but rite O Afr sume its sittings till the ith Jan., mittee Bppointed at Aix-la•Chapelle f°r re witt fairs of Get many, &c. will assemble he the first fortnight of the present riontil;kerefrar/1 " VieNNA,Nov.27.—Acourierarriiiie the nc e : Aix.la-Chapelle, brings the cellertain it'irbere that the Emperor of Russia aril" m em. The ing t' tini)l visit Pari s liifes bee n by $f, 11 , 1; o f th ;:lnri Xo g i Ad Ca Dt .fr o►n 44)e iiir en Priv ;i 'ttlpt all p co rm A nie Portz font o f Piave ~~ aiiy ~ tiow Ae tna .6 4t1 Lave I ttror "A ke e Eeg erF IRhte, '4ll t i It ) ni Perl tukititi l'2:1 1 cruit Celyc 110 y, of c deav ►lod e Thel tlierti Of p, PeCI4 1110 611 0 vi; es V Ir~ri lit An,, it i 3 . B tat f Pnst, Stir vl C oed cli is i, St e i n tiiac Gov t. at a l e , v i ttr r i v Eirid 1 3 , i, O r o, full I h ope. OF ig lion rtliin i ti,,. 1 te st a Cl an. 'Pat li t i ol